Another Friday and a new installment in this weekly series. This week actor Robert De Niro. He was born on August 17, 1943 and didn’t start acting in 1963 (although the movie wasn’t released until 1969). His career really started in 1973. It didn’t take long for him to appear in a big movie though as he starred as Vito Corleone in the second Godfather movie in 1974, for which he won an Oscar. Now that’s a good start of your career.
He appeared in close to 90 movies, so picking out a favorite for this actor is going to be a tough one.

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Now I think most of you agree that De Niro’s movie choices have been great the last couple of years. There was a time when you could blindly go into one of his movies and know it was going to be great, but it seems that time is behind us. As for picking out a favorite, it’s almost impossible and I’ve decided that I really can’t and will narrow it down to 5 roles. I loved him in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Heat and Cape Fear.

I haven’t seen his classics, in fact the’re sitting on my sky box waiting to be seen. Raging Bull, Taxi Driver. Sadly, the best I think I’ve seen him in is Ronin. Which I loved, but don’t think that’s the best of him.

He is great in Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, but I really love him in Godfather part 2. I know that’s not necessarily counted as his film, but he’s so effortlessly brilliant as the the young Vito Corleone.

I’ve seen a lot of his classic roles. Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and Godfather 2. But the one I’m going to mention right now is Stardust. He owns the small part he appears in that movie playing a pirate that likes to play dress up. If you like De Niro, try to find Stardust. You won’t be disappointed.

I actually haven’t seen a whole lot of De Niro films but of the ones I did he’s indeed excellent. His cameo in Stardust is actually kind of fun, though he made me cringe in those Fockers movies, ahah. Great pick Nostra!

Robert De Niro is a gifted actor whose best work is decades old. Hitting his zenith under Coppola and Scorsese’s guidance. Most notably in ‘Godfather 2. Scorsese’s ‘ B&W ‘Raging Bull’ and the ‘Gangster Trilogy.’ Then only getting a close glimpse of that bravura and notoriety in Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’.

Nor has De Niro aged well, honed his talents or sought roles worthy of those talents. Applying his name to questionable franchises and projects whose requirements are no more than light weight, phoned in performances.

Nice post, Nostra. De Niro has certainly had a storied career, though many of his recent roles have been depressing. It’s tough to pick a favorite role from him, though I am partial to that of Travis Bickle. I also really enjoyed his turn in The Godfather II, which I just saw recently.

De Niro! Great choice here today! You know he held the record for the most weight gained for a role when he put on 60lbs for Raging Bull. (a few years later Vincent D’onofrio took that title when he put on 70lbs for the role of Private “Gomer Pyle” in Full Metal Jacket).

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Raging Bull for me, hands down. Kind of a cliche answer but what a performance he gave! I think a performance that is very good of his is in “Guilty by Suspicion”. A movie that is generally overlooked by pretty much everyone.

No suprise there Matt with the image you use for your avatar. It’s been way too long since I last saw it. I even bought the DVD ages ago as I was planning to rewatch it, but still have not done that. I must say that I never heard of Guilty by Suspicion till I made this list, so I guess it’s one to check out.

Yeah, seeing that at the cinema is something I will always remember, especially the sound of the shooting after the robbery. Classic movie moment and of course that conversation of these two greats at the table.

My favourite performances are ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Heat’, and Godfather II. His early body of work is just brilliant and is why he is still taken so seriously even though his films from the last 10 or so years have left a lot to be desired.

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Hands down, the best actor to ever grace the screen in my opinion. Never all the iconic characters he’s played, DeNiro himself is an icon. Can’t argue with his performances in Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Godfather 2 but his smaller roles in Jackie Brown and Midnight Run also deserve mention. It’s too hard to pick a favourite. The Man’s a legend.

jmsays:

I’ve seen all of his movies and i keep on watchin ‘em over and over again but my most viewed De Niro movie would be the godfather II , i named my son Don Corleone coz of that and nicknamed him Niro. my top 10 favorites are Taxi Driver, Once Upon A Time in America, Raging Bull, Awakenings, The Fan, King Of Comedy, Cape Fear, Casino, City By The Sea, Meet The Parents, Good Fellas, Showtime… well i guess all of his movies are my favorites. The Actors’s Actor, known for his Method acting, I instantly became a big fan when i first saw him on a movie when i was 20 and i even forgot what movie was that, now i’m 34.

Wow, that’s some dedication! What’s your opinion on the type of roles he’s been doing during the last 10 years? I have to admit he was back in form for Silver Linings Playbook and the movie in which he plays a writer (can’t remember the name at the moment)?